NAIROBI, Kenya, November 12- Fourteen Nyeri, Nanyuki and Nyahururu based golfers have booked themselves a slot in the forthcoming Barclays Bank of Kenya Golf Circuit grand finale.
The amateur golfers sealed their places following the second round of the of the ongoing tournament staged at the Nyeri Golf Club-the second oldest golf club in Kenya- last weekend.
During the Saturday event, upcoming golfer Peter Maina playing off handicap 15, picked the winners’ title after posting a total of 41 stable ford points.
Amidst stiff competition from a strong force drawn from Nanyuki, Maina emerged the winner a clear four strokes ahead of second placed Baldev Singh who cleared the course with 37 points.
The winner carded 21 points in the front nine before slowing down on the second nine with 20 points as veteran Nyeri Golfer Baldev Singh struggled to snatch the title to no avail.
Nyeri medic Dr Ephantus Mate picked the second runners up title with 36 on count back with Nanyuki based oil marketer Gabriel Miungi.
One of the pre tournament favourite Richard ‘Maji’ Kabugi from Nanyuki suffered the wrath of the prevailing wet conditions at the nine hole, par 33 Nyeri Golf Club, but managed to pick the longest drive title thanks to his shot on hole 17.
Leading a strong team of staffers, the bank’s Chief Risk Officer Juma Arogo picked the prize with 33 with 14 and 19 points on the first and second nines respectively.
Following the Nyeri tournament and ahead of the forthcoming third round to be staged at Eldoret Club on Saturday, the squad set to represent the Mt Kenya region at the Grand finale set for 2nd February next year at the Karen country club include:
Patrick Maina, Baldev Singh, Dr. Ephantus Mate, H.S. Sappal, Benjamin Inoti and C Mwaniki from Nyeri. From Nanyuki Golf Club, Gabriel Miungi, Mwangi Gathu, Eng. Joshua Kinoti and Erastus Wanjohi will lead the squad. Nyahururu Golf club squad will feature Dr. Gatuma, R. Kingori, J.K. Murage and F. Mwangi.
The circuit that teed off last Saturday will be played in 13 rounds with 25 participating golf clubs countrywide with 2,400 golfers expected to participate.
As part of a commitment to develop budding talent, the Circuit is also open to junior golfers with official handicaps.
Hosting clubs include; Nyali Golf Club, Eldoret Club, Vet Lab Sports Club, Nyeri Club, Nyanza Club, Railways Club, Kiambu Club, Royal Nairobi Club, Sigona Golf Club, Windsor Golf and Country Club, Muthaiga Golf Club, Karen Country Club, and Limuru Country Club.
